Caithness councillor’s fears over closure of Highland tourism centres
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A CAITHNESS councillor has described plans by VisitScotland to axe its network of information centres over the next two years as "a blow for tourism".
Matthew Reiss, a Thurso and Northwest Caithness ward representative, said the proposal, which would result in the loss of 25 tourist information offices – known as iCentres – is "going in the wrong direction."
Under the plans, iCentres in Inverness, Fort William, Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow would be among those to be closed.
VisitScotland previously shut a number of its visitor centres, including those at Wick and Thurso, although information is provided at other outlets in both towns.
'Absolutely pathetic' that Caithness has no tourist information centre, says councillor
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Councillor Reiss said many countries such as Austria and France invest in information centres.
"In Europe, governments are investing in tourist facilities and have top quality, modern, attractive facilities staffed by local people who are proud of their area,” he said. “Nothing beats the personal experience."
He dismissed claims that most visitors now use online resources and specialists for research and bookings as "utter nonsense."
Cllr Reiss maintained "an impersonal app" can't compare with "the practical, down-to-earth advice given by local friendly people at a tourist office."
He said: “That makes you feel welcome and helps give you a good feeling about a place.
He added: "I don't buy the online argument and think that to say an impersonal app is as good as real people in a real building is stretching credibility to the limit. Replacing a real tourist facility with an app is doing it on the cheap."
However, John Thurso, the Caithness chairman of VisitScotland, said "the tourism landscape has changed significantly in recent years."
"The demand for iCentres has reduced while the demand for online information and booking has continued to grow. In order to continue building demand and growing the value of tourism and events, it is vitally important that we target channels we know visitors use to influence them to visit Scotland.
"Our research shows that as an organisation, we have a greater and more impactful role to play in providing information before visitors travel. Prioritising a digital-first model of information provision allows us to reach potential visitors at those early planning stages when we can shape their future travel decisions."
He added: "Together with businesses and our partners, we want to build on success and ensure that across all areas of our work – marketing, destination development, business advice, insights and events – we prioritise the activities that will deliver for our industry and for Scotland.
"By evolving our work in this way, we will be able to invest in the activities that will accelerate sustainable growth in the visitor economy, helping create jobs, sustain communities and attract investment for the future."
VisitScotland said the 25 iCentres will operate as usual until the end of September and then there will be a phased closure programme over the following 18 months.
It is understood there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the planned changes.
